This is a single-centre randomized controlled clinical trial which will enroll COPD patients in Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage II-IV, hospitalized due to acute exacerbation. Patients will be randomised in a 1:1 fashion to intervention group, which will have care organized by discharge coordinator, and control group which will receive care as usual. The primary endpoint of this study is time to hospitalization due to COPD worsening. Data will be collected at baseline, at the time of hospital discharge, and at following time-points after the hospital discharge: 48 hours, 7-10 days, 30 days, 90 days, and 180 days.

Patients will receive support by discharge coordinator for activities associated with discharge and immediate post-discharge care.

Other: Coordinated discharge

In intervention group, a discharge coordinator contacts hospitalized patients the day after randomization. During hospitalization, discharge coordinator visits are scheduled according to patients' problems and home-care needs. At 48 hours after hospital discharge, a discharge coordinator calls patients by phone to check the process of adjustment to home environment and to inquire about additional needs patients might have. Thereafter, phone contacts are scheduled according to the patients' needs and 7-10 days after the hospital discharge a home visit is performed by discharge coordinator, respectively.

Placebo Comparator: Control

Patients in control group will be managed by attending physician, primary care physician, and/or pneumologist in accordance with established clinical practice.

Other: Control

Patients in control group will be managed by attending physician, primary care physician, and/or pneumologist in accordance with established clinical practice.

Detailed Description:

This is a single-centre randomized controlled clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of discharge coordinator intervention compared to care as usual in patients with COPD.

The study is being conducted at University Clinic of Pulmonary and Allergic Diseases Golnik, Slovenia. Patients with suspicion of acute exacerbation of COPD will be screened at admission when they will be informed about study details. After explanations of concerns and questions that they might have, a signed informed consent will be collected. During 48 hours, patients will be included according to their eligibility. Main inclusion criteria are COPD stage II-IV according to Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines, ability to perform phone contacts and availability for home visits. Patients will be excluded if in unstable or terminal stage of disease other than COPD, if they will die during hospitalization, or if unable to follow the study protocol.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

35 Years and older (Adult, Senior)

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

age >35 years

acute exacerbation of COPD stage II-IV

residence in the geographical area linked to the study hospital

ability to communicate

give written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

diagnosis of cognitive impairment

unstable or terminal disease other than COPD

withdrawal of written informed consent before discharge

inability of phone contact

death during hospitalisation

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01225627